Nairobi to London; Appreciating those Inspiring Moments.
When I left Kenya, I had mixed reactions. As the car I rode sped from my house to the airport, the desire to remain almost overrode the need to leave. I looked at the expressway and the businesses along Mombasa road and reconnected with the very life I was used to.
Now, I had to fathom the fact that I was leaving. It had become too comfortable staying at the only place I knew as home. By all means, staying wasn’t an option because the longing to make a change and impact this world was greater. Not that I wouldn’t make that mark while in Kenya, nay, the point here is that sometimes we need to be inspired from without, to spark the inspiration from within.
Once in the UK, life had to get going. I don’t want to go so much into the narrative of my point-to-point movement, rather, I want to concentrate on this one guy I met. He gave me the impression of a world we need to have, if we are to achieve the objectives of humanity; those of seeing all people as humans, first.
I am talking about the guy who came to pick me from the airport. Before I met him, I wondered what type of person my chauffeur would be. The impression this person was going to imprint on me would decide whether I wore excitement throughout my stay or not.
When he finally showed, the guy was fairly old, contrary to my expectations. At one point, he bent down to tie his shoelaces and complained of back issues due to his advanced age. Nevertheless, we clicked right away. He started by playing my tour guide around the place. I noted, immediately, that appreciating the guidance was of paramount importance.
Only later I came to understand that the British culture is deeply embedded in order and respect. He went on to show me where the queen was laid to rest and some other historic places in the UK. He carefully drove me to my destination, and in between, gave me the unspoken code of conduct to guide me as I settle in.
He played the father figure I needed to have in this place. When we arrived at my place of abode, he alighted and told me a few of the honest things people don’t say about how I am to make the best of one’s stay in the UK. More importantly, he asked me to do my best in my endeavour.
Perhaps, one thing I would remember for a long time to come, is his point that excellence always pays. This was not the first time I was hearing this, only this time it seemed heavier than usual. The person telling me had it in him to make sure that I became more than even I wanted to be.
He wished me well and reminded me about the people back at home. He told me not to forget them and that they expect to see me whole the next time we meet. He went on to explain that I don’t need to waste my life in any way, but rather build it to the best I can, because this is the time I got.
It is interesting to remember that this was a person I had not known before. We had just met and he took it upon himself to motivate me. Let me say that before this, we both came across another mutually new person to us and he didn’t take much time to give them these nuggets of wisdom he was feeding me.
It wasn’t by chance that this happened. It was a way of our roads crossing so that I get the opportunity to write to you, and everybody out there that it doesn’t hurt to be good to other people. Inspiring others is perhaps the best thing we can give them.
I can assure you that I haven’t been the same since then. I never take it lightly when I come across someone who wishes me well, randomly or systematically. I get inspired by the small things. And this encounter with this guy will remain with me for as long as I can.
I have thus promised myself to be an inspiration to others as well. Not selectively in any way, but to all humanity. It will not matter whether the person comes from Europe, Asia, America or Africa, my mission is to touch one person at a time as much, and as far into the future as possible.
If we can all make this our mission, irrespective of our areas of profession, level of education or whatever the circumstances, we can make this world a better place. I hope this inspires you to be the better version of yourself and challenges you to make the better version of others.
